Actors and Structures in International Relations
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Which of the following best describes the relationship between actors and structures within the international system?

  • Actors define the structure, which in turn has no bearing on the actions of international bodies.
  • Structures shape and constrain the behavior of actors, while actors, in turn, can modify or reinforce existing structures. (correct)
  • Actors and structures are wholly independent of each other, operating without influence on one another.
  • Structures exist merely as a backdrop to international relations, with actors being solely responsible for all outcomes.

What does it mean to 'think systemically' in the context of U.S. foreign policy?

  • Focusing solely on domestic issues when formulating foreign policy to ensure national interests are prioritized.
  • Formulating foreign policy in isolation, without regard for global consequences or domestic impacts.
  • Considering the interconnectedness of U.S. foreign policy goals with both domestic and global issues to understand potential consequences. (correct)
  • Ignoring any potential long term reprecussions when formulating forgein policy.

Which of the following is the MOST accurate definition of 'structure' in the international system?

  • The geographical boundaries and natural resources of a country.
  • The sum total of all interactions between international actors.
  • The individual characteristics and attributes of state leaders.
  • The set of fundamental rules, norms, or arrangements that connect and order the actors in the system. (correct)

How might the structure of the United Nations Security Council influence international outcomes?

<p>It grants disproportionate power to the P5 states (China, France, Russia, UK, and the US), enabling them to veto resolutions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios demonstrates how structure in the international system constrains the behavior of international actors?

<p>Economic sanctions imposed on a country by international organizations limit its ability to trade and access financial markets. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can international structures, such as widely accepted norms against using chemical weapons, constitute actors' identities and interests?

<p>By reinforcing a shared understanding that using such weapons is illegitimate and harmful to a state's reputation and interests. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Considering the concept of 'thinking systemically,' how should a country approach making decisions about intervening in another nation's internal conflict?

<p>Evaluate how the intervention might affect domestic politics, regional stability, and international alliances before committing resources. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Imagine a new international treaty is established to combat climate change, but some countries have significantly more resources than others. How might this illustrate the influence of structure on international outcomes?

<p>Poorer countries may struggle to commit to the treaty's targets due to economic constraints, potentially leading to unequal outcomes and tensions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the function of grand strategy?

<p>A set of overarching ideas that structure and legitimize foreign policy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a core component of grand strategy?

<p>Public opinion polling data. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In his West Point Speech, what policy instrument did Obama emphasize when confronting security challenges?

<p>Multilateralism and cooperation with allies. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement aligns with the core tenets of isolationism?

<p>The U.S. is geographically secure and should focus resources domestically. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A grand strategy of Restraint would likely advocate for which of the following?

<p>Limited military intervention and prioritizing diplomacy. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Ashford, what is a potential negative consequence of overreliance on military force?

<p>Allies becoming dependent on US military protection. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a policy success associated with Restraint, as mentioned in the Ashford reading?

<p>US withdrawing from Afghanistan after 20 years. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these political groups would most likely support a grand strategy of Restraint?

<p>Progressive politicians. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of Liberal Internationalism?

<p>To establish a liberal international order through multilateral cooperation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A key critique of Liberal Internationalism is that it:

<p>Can be perceived as imperialistic. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which historical figure's policies best exemplify Liberal Internationalism?

<p>Woodrow Wilson. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Ikenberry, what is the foundation of the current crisis of Liberal Internationalism?

<p>Challenges to the US-led international order. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action would be most consistent with a grand strategy of Liberal Internationalism?

<p>Intervening militarily to protect human rights in another country. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do national interests relate to geographic scope in the context of grand strategy?

<p>National interests help determine the appropriate geographic scope of a grand strategy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates Restraint from Isolationism?

<p>Restraint advocates for strategic, limited engagement while isolationism seeks to minimize all foreign interaction. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of anarchy in international relations primarily affect cooperation between states?

<p>By increasing challenges in enforcing agreements due to a lack of supranational authority. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the Prisoner's Dilemma, what outcome is most likely when both actors are self-interested?

<p>Both actors defect, leading to a suboptimal outcome for both. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the LEAST likely reason the US would consider domestic groups when creating foreign policy?

<p>Domestic Groups cannot change or influence US FP related decisions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which international dynamic MOST directly led Iran to develop a nuclear weapons program, according to the text?

<p>Response to the US invasion of Iraq and the stationing of troops there. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do a state's capabilities, particularly military strength, MOST directly impact its foreign policy?

<p>They shape a state's bargaining leverage in international negotiations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST describes the role of the State Department within the U.S. foreign policy bureaucracy?

<p>Housing diplomats responsible for day-to-day interactions with foreign governments. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what capacity does the National Security Advisor MOST significantly contribute to the U.S. foreign policy apparatus?

<p>By coordinating the activities of the executive branch related to foreign policy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How Do US national interests influence foreign policy?

<p>They guide and motivate foreign policy actions, providing a sense of purpose. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the Biden Doctrine, what is identified as the primary foreign policy threat to the U.S.?

<p>The power possessed by China and Russia, driven by ideological differences. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Biden Doctrine propose addressing the primary foreign policy threat it identifies?

<p>By strengthening alliances with like-minded nations to promote democracy. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does President Trump's perspective on terrorism as a security threat primarily differ from that of President Bush?

<p>Trump sees terrorism primarily as an internal issue related to border security, while Bush views it as an international threat requiring military force abroad (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Grand Strategy?

<p>A clearly conceptualized guiding set of ideas behind foreign policy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario best exemplifies how the structure of the international system can constitute actors?

<p>A state altering its defense policies in response to a powerful alliance forming in its region. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is most likely a key distinction between states and great power states in international relations?

<p>Great power states are often permanent members of important international organizations and possess greater influence. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the absence of a supranational authority most significantly challenge international cooperation?

<p>By increasing distrust due to the risk of states reneging on agreements. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the grand strategy of Primacy?

<p>Establishing American hegemony through unilateral means and maintaining preponderant power. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary critique against the grand strategy of Primacy?

<p>It risks overextension and isolation due to its ambitious goals and unilateral approach. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did President George W. Bush's foreign policy exemplify a grand strategy of Primacy?

<p>By heavily utilizing military force and democracy promotion to prevent the rise of global competitors. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The 'America First' foreign policy under President Trump primarily sought to:

<p>Redistribute wealth to the U.S. and prioritize domestic economic interests. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is neomercantilism, and how did it influence U.S. grand strategy during the Trump Administration?

<p>An economic vision focused on redistributing wealth to the U.S. through protectionism and export promotion. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did President Trump alter U.S. involvement in multilateral organizations and agreements?

<p>He withdrew from several international agreements and reduced U.S. participation. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The grand strategy of the Trump Administration can be best described as a combination of:

<p>Offshore balancing, isolationism, and restraint. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A key aspect of President Biden’s grand strategy involves:

<p>Restoring multilateralism and framing global politics as a competition between democracy and autocracy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

President Biden's foreign policy aligns most closely with which grand strategy category?

<p>Liberal internationalism, emphasizing multilateral cooperation and promotion of democracy. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which section of the U.S. Constitution forms the basis for presidential authority in foreign policy?

<p>Article 2, Section 2 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key challenge that presidents face in managing the foreign policy bureaucracy?

<p>Ensuring policy powers are not entirely concentrated within the executive branch due to checks and balances. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'problem of bureaucratic coordination' in foreign policy, and how did it manifest before Iraq's invasion of Kuwait?

<p>Coordination broke down, with mixed signals on US support for Kuwait, undermining diplomacy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does competition among agencies affect US foreign policy, and where was this displayed between the State Department and the Defense Department following the invasion of Iraq?

<p>It can create redundancy, inefficiency and sometimes conflicting policies. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impact does the War Powers Resolution have on the President's role as Commander in Chief?

<p>It requires congressional approval for military actions exceeding a certain timeframe. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of 'rally around the flag' effect?

<p>Public support for the president surges in response to a major international crisis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does competition for resources among US foreign policy agencies most significantly affect policy outcomes?

<p>It can lead to inconsistent policies as each agency prioritizes its own interests, potentially leading to disjointed actions. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does war impact the distribution of power between the President and Congress?

<p>War generally expands presidential authority, allowing the executive branch to pursue both military and domestic objectives more freely. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of an Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF)?

<p>To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against specified entities or threats, as approved by Congress. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Goldgeier and Saunders, what is a key factor that has contributed to the erosion of constraints on presidential authority in foreign policy?

<p>A tendency for presidents to circumvent international institutions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of using executive orders to implement foreign policy, particularly in areas like immigration?

<p>Executive orders lack permanence and can be easily reversed by future presidents, potentially undermining long-term policy goals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which constitutional power grants Congress a significant role in foreign policy?

<p>The power to declare war (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the War Powers Act?

<p>To limit presidential power by requiring congressional authorization for military deployments exceeding 60 days. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does divided government most commonly influence US foreign policy?

<p>It usually results in gridlock and makes it more difficult to enact significant foreign policy initiatives. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most accurate definition of partisanship in the context of US foreign policy?

<p>The ideological orientation of an individual or group, typically along party lines. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might Congress exert influence over public opinion regarding foreign policy?

<p>By holding hearings, issuing reports, and engaging in public debates to shape the narrative around foreign policy issues. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key component of the domestic model influencing US foreign policy?

<p>Domestic factors, such as public opinion, interest groups, and economic conditions, that shape the making of US foreign policy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of a two-level game help explain the formulation of US foreign policy?

<p>It explains how domestic political factors can shape the content of US foreign policy, as policymakers must navigate both international negotiations and domestic constraints. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a domestic nonstate group that can influence U.S. foreign policy?

<p>A multinational corporation with foreign policy interests (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant political challenge that might encourage a President to pursue a foreign policy strategy through executive orders, particularly on issues like immigration?

<p>A divided government characterized by legislative gridlock, making it difficult to pass laws through Congress. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the 2001 AUMF become controversial in its application to military force against ISIS?

<p>ISIS was seen as a successor to Al Qaeda, raising legal questions about whether the 2001 AUMF could be applied to a different group in a different context. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best illustrates how domestic institutions mediate political conflicts in foreign policy?

<p>Congressional hearings and debates leading to a revised trade agreement. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies the 'rally around the flag' effect?

<p>A surge in presidential approval ratings during the initial stages of a military intervention. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What implication does the American public being 'casualty-phobic' have on foreign policy decisions?

<p>A preference for foreign policies that minimize the risk of American military casualties. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following differentiates foreign policy interests among US voters?

<p>Varying opinions on the importance of human rights considerations in trade agreements. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor would likely make a non-state actor most effective in shaping US foreign policy?

<p>Possessing specialized information or expertise valued by policymakers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is national defense considered a public good?

<p>It is non-excludable and non-rivalrous, meaning everyone benefits regardless of contribution and one person's benefit does not reduce availability to others. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the free rider problem undermine the provision of national defense?

<p>It discourages individual contributions because people can benefit from national defense regardless of whether they contribute. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How might a special interest lobbying group overcome the free rider problem to influence foreign policy?

<p>By offering selective benefits only to group members who actively participate. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a central theme of President Trump's inauguration speech regarding foreign policy?

<p>Prioritizing 'America First' and protecting domestic interests. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did President Trump's executive orders on international agreements reflect his 'America First' strategy?

<p>By withdrawing from agreements like the Paris Climate Accord and the Global Tax Accord. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

International System

The global network of states, organizations, and people interacting through political, economic, and social connections.

Actors

Individuals or groups (states, firms, NGOs) with a common purpose within the international system.

Structure

Arrangements that connect and order actors; shapes actions by rewarding/penalizing behaviors.

Thinking Systemically

Analyzing how US foreign policy connects to domestic and global issues, considering consequences.

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Structure (in IS)

The set of arrangements governing interactions and power exchanges between actors.

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Structure's Constraints

Preventing or encouraging behaviors through economic pressures, sanctions, or treaties.

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Structure's Influence

Influencing identities and interests of actors within the international system.

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P5 States

UN rules grant special veto powers to China, France, Russia, UK, and the US.

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Structure in International Relations

Actors' attributes (identity, interests) are shaped by the broader structure they exist within.

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Anarchy in International Relations

Absence of a central authority above states; no world government to enforce agreements.

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Enforcement Challenges under Anarchy

Lack of a supranational power that can punish states for breaking their promises.

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Prisoner's Dilemma

A scenario where individual rationality leads to a suboptimal outcome for both participants.

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Prominent Actors in International System

States, Great Powers, domestic groups, international organizations, multinational corporations, activists/NGOs, and individuals.

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Differentiating International Actors

States are differentiated by relative power, interests, and influence.

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Foreign Policy

Official actions by the US directed at a foreign audience.

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Components of Political Actors

Beliefs, capabilities, interests, and actions.

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Foreign Policy Bureaucracy (US)

State Department, Defense Department, Treasury Department, CIA, National Security Advisor.

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National Interest

A set of goals that guide US foreign policy and represent the collective interests of Americans.

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The Biden Doctrine

Stresses great power competition with China and Russia and promotes strengthening alliances.

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Trump's View of Terrorism

Views terrorism primarily as an internal threat linked to border security.

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Trump vs. Bush Counter-Terrorism

Bush used military force abroad, while Trump focused on border security.

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Impact of US Withdrawal from Iran Nuclear Accord

Trump pulled the US out of the deal and Iran now might be restarting the production of nuclear weaponry.

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Capabilities & Bargaining Power

Relative military power shapes bargaining leverage.

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Grand Strategy

Overarching ideas structuring foreign policy, matching means with ends.

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Components of Grand Strategy

National interests, geographic scope, threats, and policy instruments (unilateralism/multilateralism).

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Obama's Grand Strategy (West Point)

Protecting human rights, promoting democracy/equity, using multilateralism, and employing military force when needed.

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Isolationism

Reducing foreign interaction and commitments, focusing on domestic issues.

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Restraint (Grand Strategy)

Limited military intervention, prioritizing diplomacy, economic engagement, and cooperation.

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Ashford's Argument on Restraint

Military interventions often have negative, long-term consequences.

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Domestic Groups supporting Restraint

Trumpian Nationalists, Progressive politicians, offshore balancers, America Firsters

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Liberal Internationalism

Multilateral cooperation to build a liberal international order with American leadership.

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Critique of Liberal Internationalism

Too expansive; perceived as imperialism

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Historical Examples of Liberal Internationalism

League of Nations, national self-determination, democracy, free trade

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Crisis of Liberal Internationalism

Crisis stemming from challenges to the US-led liberal order.

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Multilateralism

Using multiple countries to address global issues.

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Unilateralism

Acting alone, without cooperation.

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Anti-American Balancing

Rival states joining to counter influence.

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Primacy

A grand strategy aiming for American dominance using unilateral power and military strength.

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Critique of Primacy

Overreach, isolation, and a neglect of multilateral cooperation.

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George W. Bush's Primacy

Preventing competitors through military dominance and democracy promotion, with less reliance on international institutions.

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"America First" Policy

A foreign policy focused on redistributing global wealth back to the US and protecting domestic industry.

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Neomercantilism

An economic approach prioritizing domestic industry by limiting imports and controlling capital.

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Trump's Multilateralism

Withdrawing from international agreements and focusing on domestic and border issues.

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Trump's Grand Strategy

Elements of offshore balancing, isolationism, and restraint combined.

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Biden's Grand Strategy

Restoring multilateralism, focusing on great power competition, and leading a coalition against autocracy.

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Biden's Strategy Categories

Liberal Internationalism, combined with leading a coalition of democracies.

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President's Foreign Policy Power

Article 2, Section 2 establishes presidential authority; commander in chief, treaty-making, appointing ambassadors

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Checks on Presidential Power

Congress shares power; can declare war, control funding (power of the purse).

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Bureaucratic Coordination Problems

When agencies fail to coordinate, sending mixed signals and undermining diplomacy.

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Coordination Failure (Kuwait 1990)

In 1990 before the first Iraq war, lack of clear support for Kuwait led to Saddam's invasion.

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Agency Competition

Agencies compete for resources, influence, and policy control.

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Coordination Hub

President and NSA must coordinate State, Defense, CIA, and other agencies.

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Domestic Institutions & Foreign Policy

Internal systems shaping a country's external actions via negotiation.

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"Rally Around the Flag" Effect

Increased short-term public support during international crises

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War Fatigue

Declining public backing as war drags on with more casualties

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"Casualty-Phobic" Public

A perceived aversion to military casualties among the American public.

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Public Good

Goods non-excludable and non-rivalrous.

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Free Rider Problem

Exploiting a good without contributing

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Free Rider & National Defense

Defense benefits all, so some avoid contributing (e.g., taxes).

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Lobbying Groups Solve Free Riding

Focused groups overcoming non-participation through incentives.

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Executive Order

Order used by presidents, having force of law, to manage operations of the executive branch.

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Birthright Citizenship

Citizenship granted to those born within a country's territory

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Agency Competition Impact

Competition among agencies leads to inconsistent policies as each promotes its own interests, hindering cohesive strategy.

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War & Presidential Power

War expands executive powers beyond war itself, influencing domestic policy outcomes.

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Congress vs. President

Congress is smaller and more local, leading to skewed ideologies compared to the president's broader perspective.

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Presidential Access

Gives the president more power because they can claim to have information not available to others.

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AUMF Definition

Authorizes force against those responsible for 9/11 and associated forces.

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AUMF controversy

The 2001 AUMF has been used as a basis to fight ISIS in Syria

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Erosion of Authority

Presidential authority erodes due to weaker Congress, alliances; presidents bypass institutions.

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Executive Order Limits

Executive orders lack permanence, can be easily overturned, circumventing checks and balances.

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Immigration EO Issues

Over immigration, prompt political challenges because they bypass legislative gridlock, leading to court challenges.

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Congressional Role

Congress can declare war, establish peace treaties, and fund the militia.

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War Powers Act

Limits presidential power by requiring congressional authorization for troop deployments exceeding 60 days.

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Congress Checks Power

Congress limits executive power, especially in divided government.

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Partisanship

Ideological orientation of an individual.

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Divided Government

Refers to the situation when different political parties control the executive and legislative branches.

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Domestic Influence

Domestic factors shape US foreign policy.

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Study Notes

  • Study notes for GOV 312L U.S. Foreign Policy, Spring 2025

Introduction to International Politics

  • The international system is the global network of states, organizations, and people that interact with each other.
  • Comprised of actors and structures, which influence international outcomes.
  • Actors are individuals or groups with a common purpose, such as states, firms, international organizations, NGOs, and political parties.
  • Structures are arrangements or properties that connect and order actors, shaping state actions by rewarding or penalizing certain behaviors.
  • "Thinking systemically" involves examining the connections between U.S. foreign policy goals, domestic issues, and global issues.
  • Actions trigger consequences, so foreign policy decisions must consider domestic and international outcomes.
  • Structure governs how actors interact.
  • Domestic structure such as the US democratic structure implements elections to put power back into the hands of the people.
  • Internationally the founding rules of the UN give special powers to the P5.
  • Structure constrains actors through economic pressures, sanctions, or treaties.
  • Structure constitutes actors when their identity or interests depend on the larger structure.
  • Anarchy in international relations means the absence of supranational authority and third-party enforcement, threatening cooperation.
  • The prisoner’s dilemma illustrates challenges in reaching cooperative agreements due to self-interest prevailing over collective benefit.
  • Prominent actors include states, great power states (P5 + 1), domestic groups, international organizations, multinational corporations, activists/NGOs, and individuals.
  • The Iran nuclear accord was both facilitated and undermined by the international system; halted by initial agreements to halt production.
  • Trump pulled the US out of the deal and Iran now might restart the production of nuclear weaponry.

The U.S. Foreign Policy Apparatus and the National Interest

  • Foreign policy includes official actions by the U.S. government directed at foreign audiences.
  • Beliefs are what foreign countries think about and expect from the U.S.
  • Capabilities are relative military power that shapes bargaining leverage.
  • Interests are what states want and how they change other states' interests.
  • Actions alter the behavior of other states.
  • The foreign policy bureaucracy includes the State Department, Defense Department, Treasury Department, CIA, and National Security Advisor.
  • The State Department houses diplomats for daily interactions.
  • The Defense Department manages armed forces, headed by a civilian.
  • The Treasury Department and Federal Reserve coordinate monetary policy.
  • The CIA and Directorate of National Intelligence shape leaders’ beliefs through information.
  • The National Security Advisor coordinates executive branch activities.
  • National interest is a set of official goals to represent the interests of America and the people.
  • The degree of consistency between other states national goals set the potential for conflict or cooperation between the US and other states.
  • The Biden Doctrine views China and Russia's power as a primary threat, emphasizing ideological differences between great powers.
  • To address these threats Biden promoted strengthening alliances with like minded nations promoting democracy
  • Trump sees terrorism as an interior issue - greater focus is placed border control.
  • Bush used military force abroad to take down international threat domestically.

Grand Strategy I and Isolationism

  • Grand strategy is an overarching set of ideas that structure and legitimize foreign policy.
  • Grand strategy is to domestic partisanship as the difference between democratic parties vs. republic parties.
  • National interests, principal threats, and optimal policy instruments are all components of grand strategy.
  • Obama's West Point Speech set national interests as protecting human rights, promoting democracy, economic equity, women’s rights, and environmental protections.
  • He emphasized multilateralism and threatened military force if necessary.
  • Isolationism reduces foreign interaction, intervention, and commitments.
  • Washington's farewell address warned against entanglement, FDR pulled out to keep US from great depression.
  • Restraint advocates for limited military intervention, prioritizing diplomacy and economic engagement.
  • Critiques of restraint claim an overactive military allows allies to rely on US protection - undermining protection.
  • American groups that support foriegn policies associated with Restraint consist of Trumpinian Nationalists, Progressive politicians, offshore balancers, America Firsters.

Grand Strategy II

  • Liberal Internationalism embraces multilateral cooperation to build a liberal international order (using military and institutions).
  • American Threats abroad are global, security is collective, security is achieved in a world built on western values
  • Critique: LI is too expansive and leads to imperialism.
  • Policies of Woodrow Wilson champion for collective security through league of nations.
  • International Order is built on western values- US is losing hegemony, LI hasn't produced on its promises.
  • The US needs to protect liberal values.
  • Primacy establishes American hegemony through unilateral means for the goal of using unilateral means.
  • Critique: Primacy leads to overreach and isolation through ambition and cost
  • George W. Bush's foreign policy was exemplified by attempting prevent the emergence of global competitors by using military dominance and democratic promotion.
  • Central principles of President Trump's "America First" prioritized domestic economic wealth.
  • Neomercantilism shapes U.S. grand strategy of focusing on redistributing wealth within the country.
  • Trump withdrew from international agreements and focused military efforts domestically to focus efforts on boarder security.
  • This fits into grand strategy categories consisting of off shore balancing, isolationism and restraint.
  • President Biden reinstates multilateralism and re-energizing the US involvement with NATO.
  • Frames world as competition of democracy and restoring multilateralism.

The President in Foreign Policy

  • Article 2, Section 2 is the constitutional foundation of presidential leadership in foreign policy.
  • Sets power of president to make treaties and appoint ambassadors.
  • Challenges include Congress not deferring the president when making foriegn policy decisions.
  • Bureaucratic coordination broke down during the 1st Persian Gulf War.
  • Coordination undermine US diplomacy and led to Saddam's invasion of Kuwait.
  • Presidents can bypass Congress through executive orders that hold no permanence that other presidents can replace.
  • These orders circumvent congressional authority.
  • Trump's and Obama's orders were blocked and overturned.

Congress in Foreign Policy

  • Congress's power to declare war, establish treaties, and fund the militia.
  • The War Powers Act limits presidential power deploying troops unless they got authorization from congress.
  • Congress shapes foreign policy the structure of government, it limits executive power through a divided government.
  • Congress shapes public opinion over foriegn policy.

Module 7: The Public and US Foreign Policy

  • Domestic factors shape the making of US foriegn policy.
  • A two-level game shows domestic factors shaping US foreign policy.
  • Nonstate groups can influence US forieng policy.
  • Domestic institutions mediati political conflict and bargaining.
  • The "rally around the flag" effect increases after crisis - "war fatigue" weakens it
  • The American public is “casualty-phobic as losses become increasingly unpopular.
  • Differing foriegn policy interests exist within the US electorate.
  • The effectiveness of non state factors differ depending on ability to shape foreign policy.
  • A public good is non excludable and nonrivalrous. Private goods are exclusive and rivalrous.
  • The free rider problem is a failure to contribute to public goods because you can still reap the reward.
  • National defence is under produced because people don't want to pay for it even if they use it - the free rider problem.
  • Special interest lobbying groups solve the free rider problem.

Module #1: The First Week of Foreign Policy in President Trump’s Second Term

  • The major foreign policy prioritized consisted of border regulation and reduced international commitment.
  • He fused domestic and foriegn policy stating that wealth will be redistributed domestically.
  • He restricted immigration across the Southern boarder with Mexico through executive orders.
  • Increased domestic energy production was tied to domestic priorities.
  • Increased tariffs affect consumer prices and prioritized domestic industry.
  • Calls to for territorial expansion such as taking the Panama canal threatened US foriegn policy.
  • Executive Orders are used by presidents to bypass congress.
  • Trump's executive orders regarding international agreements reflective of his America First foriegn policy system

INN@UT Module #2: The Border Crisis and US Immigration Policy

  • Democrats and Republicans talk about the boarder crisis in different ways.
  • There has been an increase in encounters over the last several administrations.
  • Obama administration and 1st Trump administration show similar trends
  • Trends during the Biden administration are on the scale of trends of Obama.
  • The state of Texas (Governor Greg Abbott) brought the issue of immigration to national prominence.
  • Permanent legal residents is how the Department of Homeland Security classifies legal, foriegn-born residents
  • The Department of Homeland Security classifies unauthorized immigrants without permanent legal status as possessing temporary legal status to reside in the US.
  • 1/4 of the unauthorized population have a temporary legal status to reside in the U.S.
  • Temporary Protective Status (TPS), Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), asylum seekers, CBP One program, and humanitarian parole all give temporary legal permission
  • Trump passed foriegn policies attempting to change interpenetration of birthright of citizenship.

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Explore the relationship between actors and structures in the international system. Discuss systemic thinking in U.S. foreign policy and the influence of international structures on actors' identities and interests.

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